Fashion

[FunkyHulaGirl]

Are any of you finding that more and more stores are asking you for your phone number, giving various excuses as to why they "need" it?   At Burlington the story is they have to have it in case of returns.  And that's because????  At Goody's, that's now your "ID" for their discount program - I guess the card they had for years doesn't work anymore.

I don't use my phone much and have very limited minutes; I'm certainly not going to give them permission to annoy me with telemarking calls, for which the "Do Not Call" list doesn't apply if you have an "ongoing business relationship."  I ended up creating a phony number, with a prefix that doesn't exist so someone else isn't annoyed, but I really resent these intrusions on my privacy. I don't even give out my zip code when stores ask, because you'd be amazed at how much data miners can find out about you with just that and your debit card. 

Some helpful advice:

Steps to Protect Your Privacy From Data Miners

• Do not provide your birth date, phone number or home ZIP code when making in-person purchases. For online purchases, never provide more information than what is required by the retailer.  Never provide your home and work ZIP code together, this will easily allow companies to identify you.

• When possible, use cash instead of a credit card when making a purchase.

• Contact your bank to “opt out” of having it share your personal information

• Be aware that if you fill out a raffle entry or a warranty card with your personal information, those details will be stored in a comprehensive data base.

• When using social media, seek out websites that show you how to maximize your privacy settings.

• Shield yourself from data miners by using browser plug-ins, proxy servers, or pay services that hide your computer’s individual “IP address” from prying eyes.

• Adjust the privacy settings on your Internet browser to block third-party “cookies” and allow better encryption, therefore providing safer Web browsing.

• Implement “onion routing” to better hide your identity in a heavily encrypted computer network.

[Bird mama]

@FunkyHulaGirl

I do most of my shopping online, however I'm often asked for my email address at stores.  I could've signed up for a rewards program with my local Meijer's but didn't want to give them my cell number.  I don't want texts left and right :-)

[hoosieroriginal]

Just dont' give out your phone number - nothing they can do about it - just refuse. 

[Mz iMac]

In most states it is against the law for stores to ask for personal info & that includes phone numbers.

If a store ask for mine, I remind them of the law then give a fake number - 123-456-7890

If they ask for an email addy, I give them a throw away email addy - MyTrashMail

If the store does not agree w/the above, my "stuff" stays on the counter & they have lost a customer.

[jackthebear]

So annoying 

just say its unlisted

or 8675309 

[geezerette]

I can understand needing extra information when using credit/debit cards/checks, but stores are now asking me for phone number or zip code even when paying cash.  I'm using cash to avoid all that!

[FunkyHulaGirl]

I have a separate addy that I use just for on-line shopping...especially since many retailers think you need to hear from them via email each and every day.  

I love to shop as much as anyone, but enough is enough!  I don't have the time or desire to wade through dozens of junk emails, and I'm sick and tired of these intrusions on my privacy.   I was just listening to a program that was saying how advertisers want to put something in billboards that will track you via your phone.  (One of the many reasons I stick with a "dumb" phone.)  What's next - ads printed on toilet paper? 

[handygal2]

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@jackthebear wrote:

So annoying 

just say its unlisted

or 8675309 

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@jackthebear: LOL! But that will work only if your name is "Jenny." 

[FunkyHulaGirl]

I'm annoyed enough about this that I did some more research. It's worse than you can imagine:

Fact Sheet on Privacy While Shopping

[jackthebear]

walgreens actually pulled this yesterday when I picked up RX for my daughter.  I don't get anything from them at all since they implemented the "get the card" to get the sale price thing.  I asked why they needed my phone # and he said for verification and I said its unlisted.

Says to self what are they verifying?  only my HHincome etc.  anyway you dont have to give that info at all